Household payroll taxes inHawaii
Hiring a caregiver, housekeeper, or other help in Hawaii usually makes you a household employer. KinPayroll handles the federal side — Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, Schedule H, and the W-2 — the same in Hawaii as in every state, and points you to where to register locally. KinPayroll calculates Hawaii income-tax withholding — the figures come from Hawaii's own published withholding tables, checked against them before the state went live. State unemployment tax is separate: the rate is one Hawaii assigns your account when you register, so no calculator can quote it up front. Estimates, not tax advice — confirm with a tax advisor.
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The federal rules — the same in Hawaii as in every state
The $3,000 wage threshold
Once cash wages to a household employee reach about $3,000 in a year, Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes generally apply. This federal threshold is the same in every state.
Federal unemployment (FUTA)
FUTA is a separate test — generally 0.6% on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages, triggered once you pay $1,000 in any calendar quarter. It's federal, so it applies everywhere.
Schedule H and the W-2
Household-employment taxes are reported once a year on Schedule H with the employer's Form 1040, and the caregiver gets a W-2. The same federal forms apply in every state.
The medical-expense estimate
When care is medically necessary and the person qualifies as a dependent, part of what you pay may count toward the itemized medical-expense deduction. An estimate — confirm with a tax advisor.
Hawaii’s two agencies
State unemployment and withholding are handled by Hawaii, not the IRS. Start with these two offices — what each requires, and at what wage point, varies, so confirm the specifics with the agency or a tax advisor.
State unemployment registration
Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Visit Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations →This covers the federal layer + where to register — not Hawaii’s specific unemployment or income-tax rates, which vary. Confirm with Hawaii’s agencies or a tax advisor.
See what you'd owe as a household employer
Estimate the federal Social Security, Medicare, and FUTA on a caregiver's wages — about two minutes, no account.
Federal estimates only — state taxes vary; confirm with your tax advisor.
Common questions
Possibly. On top of the federal Social Security, Medicare, and FUTA rules — which apply in Hawaii just like everywhere — many states add their own unemployment tax, and states with an income tax may expect withholding. Hawaii's specific rates and thresholds vary and change yearly, so this page doesn't quote them. Confirm with Hawaii's agencies (below) or a tax advisor.
Set up household payroll in Hawaii the right way.
Start free, log every payment, and have the federal forms — Schedule H and the W-2 — ready at year-end.
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KinPayroll isn't a law firm or accounting firm. This page covers the federal household-employer rules that apply in Hawaii and where to register; it quotes no Hawaii rates, which vary and change yearly. KinPayroll calculates Hawaii income-tax withholding — the figures come from Hawaii's own published withholding tables, checked against them before the state went live. State unemployment tax is separate: the rate is one Hawaii assigns your account when you register, so no calculator can quote it up front. Estimates only, and we file nothing on your behalf — confirm your situation with Hawaii's tax and labor agencies or a qualified tax advisor.